Impregnated matrix and method for making same

ABSTRACT

A substantially flexible, dry matrix, which contains not more than about 3% moisture at room temperature, is impregnated with a water free treatment mixture containing a lipid and a surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, the mixture includes a glycol, a surfactant and a lipid emollient, lubricant, medicament or skin protectant. Methods for manufacturing and using the impregnated matrices are also taught.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 08/560035 filed ______, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 171,676 filed Dec. 22,1993.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a treated matrix and method formaking and using the same. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a matrix treated with at least one lipid, emollients,lubricants, antimicrobial agents, skin protectants or medicaments and asurfactant. This matrix transfers the lipid to a skin surface as a thinfilm on contact.

[0004] 2. Description of the Art

[0005] Heretofore, emollients, protectants, medicaments and lubricantsthat are slightly, or not, soluble in water have been applied usingemulsions of oil and water. Examples of such emulsions include skinlotions and other skin care products. However, such emulsions arenon-uniform, separate, and are susceptible to bacterial growth. Whilethe addition of surfactants improves and extends the life of emulsion,,such additions do not solve the problems since oil and water simply donot mix. Moreover, such compositions are difficult to formulate andapply.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,102, entitled Method of Making a DryAntimicrobial Fabric, issued to Sheridan, the applicant herein, on Feb.25, 1992, and was assigned to the same assigned as the presentapplication. This patent is directed to a method of making asubstantially flexible dry matrix or towel for use in cleaning a surfaceby removing dust and/or organic film products. The Sheridan U.S. Pat.No. 5,091,102 matrix includes a glycol compound, a cationic surfactant,and antimicrobial agent and, in a preferred form, a nonionic surfactant,each of which is water soluble.

[0007] As disclosed in Sheridan U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,102, in example 1thereof, at col. 9 line 40-col. 10 line 23, commercially available dustcloths cannot clean a surface because they are incompatible with waterand leave an oil-in-water smear behind. Even when squeezed dry, they areoil and create more dirt to be cleaned. The invention described inSheridan U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,102 solved the problem by being able toclean with water. Because the components are water soluble, they areable to clean the surface with water. Sheridan's success wasattributable to restricting the cleaning components to water solublematerials.

[0008] Sheridan U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,102, however, did not address thespecific problem confronted herein, namely providing a vehicle or matrixfor transferring and emollient, lubricant, protectant, and/or medicamentwhere at least one of the components was water insoluble as defined inthe CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, i.e., an emollient,petrolatum, zinc oxide, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc carbonate, etc., orof low water solubility, i.e., slightly soluble¹ in water such as zinccitrate, zinc phenate, sulfadiazole, sulfa-guanidine, citronellol,hydantoin, etc. As used herein, the terms soluble and slightly solubleare used in the conventional sense (see Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, forexample). This is particularly applicable to transferring a skin careproduct to the skin from the matrix.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Against the foregoing background, it is a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a dry matrix which is impregnated with amixture of at least one liquid surfactant and a lipid such as anemollient, a lubricant, a medicament and/or a skin protectant².

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a methodof making the impregnated matrix of the present invention.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide asubstantially water-free treated matrix for shipping.

[0012] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide atreated matrix that does not require packaging effective to prevent theevaporation of water or solvents.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide atreated matrix that is microbially stable, even when not packaged withina moisture migration barrier.

[0014] It is a still further object of the present invention to providesuch a matrix which, when exposed to water and pressure, willsubstantially instantaneously form an emulsion which can serve totransfer the surfactant, the emollient, lubricant, medicament and/orprotectant from the matrix to a skin surface.

[0015] To accomplish these and other objects of the present invention,the composition of the present invention comprises a substantiallyflexible, dry matrix having a moisture content not exceeding about 3%,impregnated with a water-free treatment mixture. The matrix is adaptedto transfer lipid components in said treatment mixture to a skin surfaceon contact. The treatment mixture preferably includes at least oneliquid surfactant and at least one lipid. The lipid is preferablyselected from the group of emollients, lubricants, medicaments and skinprotectants. A method for forming said impregnated matrix is furtherprovided as is a method for applying a lipid emollient, lubricant,medicament and/or protectant mixture to skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The present invention relates to a substantially dry matrix ormatrix of the type which is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,091,102 the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporatedherein by reference thereto. Such matrix is substantially dry and isdevoid of any water other than the water which may be naturally presentin the matrix as manufactured and the matrix remains dry to the touchafter impregnation with the treatment mixture. A typical matrix for usein the present invention is a cellulosic material, which while dry tothe touch, may contain up to about 3% water.

[0017] As used herein, the term matrix may further include the finishedmatrix, cloth or towel product, i.e., a wipe, garment, etc.

[0018] A useful matrix may contain natural or synthetic fibers,processed into woven, non-woven or knitted form, a flexible foam, orcombinations thereof, in a basis weight range generally of between 5 andabout 200 grams per square yard and preferably between 15 and about 100grams per square yard. A preferred matrix is comprised of woven ornon-woven thermoplastic filaments or fibers, preferably ofpolypropylene, with a basis weight range of between about 5 and about100 grams per square yard, preferably between 15 and 40 grams per squareyard. The tensile strength of such a matrix must be sufficient to enablethe wipe to be used without shredding or disintegrating and shouldgenerally be between about 0.5 and about 1.5 pounds per inch of width.The matrix can consist of a single layer of the filaments or fibers or afoam layer or it can consist of a plurality of layers of the samefilaments or fibers and/or foam which have been adhered by using anysuitable method such as sonic, thermal or mechanical bonding, etc. Finalselection of the matrix will, of course, depend upon its actual intendedapplication.

[0019] Particularly preferred matrices include fibers selected from thegroup consisting of polypropylene, polyester, nylon and cellulosic, suchas cellulose, cotton, rayon, hemp, etc. and foams selected from thegroup consisting of polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene,polyester, etc.

[0020] A treatment mixture preferably consists of at least onesurfactant and a lipid emollient, and/or protectant, and/or amedicament, and/or lubricant. The treatment mixture is applied to thematrix and impregnated therein. When the matrix is applied to skin, thelipid is readily transferred thereto and remains on the skin as a film.In another aspect of the present invention, when the matrix is exposedto water at the point of use and pressure is applied by squeezing, orrubbing, the matrix, the treatment mixture forms an unstable emulsionwhich maybe adapted to release the lipid onto the skin.

[0021] The treatment mixture preferably includes a glycol, and morepreferably propylene glycol, USP, although any glycol which is safe,nontoxic and possesses the ability to coat fibers uniformly may be used.The glycol used desirably imparts a softness to the dry matrix. Theglycol may act as a non-ionic liquid surfactant, or in any otherconventional capacity for which glycol is used in the cosmetic andpharmaceutical industries.

[0022] Polyethylene glycol and CARBOWAX® (methoxy polyethylene glycol),may also be used in the present invention. These compounds are membersof a family of linear polymers formed by the addition reaction ofethylene oxide. The generalized formula for polyethylene glycol is:

HO—(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H

[0023] and for the methoxy polyethylene glycol is:

CH₃O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—H

[0024] wherein “n” is the average number of repeating oxyethylenegroups. The repeating ether linkages and terminal hydroxyl groups giverise to the water solubility of the polyethylene glycol.

[0025] Polyethylene glycol is generally available in average molecularweights ranging from 200 to 8000 and methoxy polyethylene glycol isavailable is average molecular weights ranging from 300 to 5000.

[0026] The treatment mixture typically contains a glycol in an amountbetween 1% and about 99% by weight of the treatment mixture and,preferably, between about 4% and about 50% by weight.

[0027] The treatment mixture optionally also contains other nonionic andcationic surfactants, either separately or in combination. The cationicand nonionic surfactants described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,102, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, may beused in the present invention. Preferred cationic surfactants can beselected from any of the well-known classes of water soluble quaternaryammonium compounds. Such classes include the quaternary heteronium³compounds such as cetyl pyridinum chloride and polymeric quaternarycompounds of the general formula:

[0028] wherein R₁ and R₂ are selected from an alkyl group, an alkylether group and a hydroxyalkyl group each containing from 1 to 3 carbonatoms. R₃ is an alkyl group containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and R₄is selected from an alkyl group containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, anaralkyl group wherein alkyl contains 1 to 2 carbon atoms andheterocyclic radicals and X⁻ is a suitable anion such as halide, e.g.,chloride, bromide and iodide or nitrate, methosulfate or acetate.

[0029] A particularly useful compound having the general formula listedabove is one wherein R and R₁ and R₂ are alkyl groups having 1-3 carbonatoms, R₃ is an alkyl benzyl group such as dodecylbenzyl, R₄ is apolypropylene oxide group, and X is chloride.

[0030] Particularly useful quaternary ammonium compounds of theabove-indicated generated formula are the C₈₋₁₈ alkyl dimethyl ammoniumchlorides and mixtures thereof.

[0031] Examples of such cationic surfactants which may be used include:Stepan BTC 2125M or BTC 65.

[0032] The preferred amount of cationic surfactants compound to beincluded in the treatment mixture in accordance with the presentinvention ranges between about 0.5% and about 50% by weight, andpreferably is between about 1% and about 25% by weight.

[0033] The preferred glycol compounds themselves exhibit nonionicsurfactant properties. In addition, however, depending upon the specificend use to which the matrix is to be put, the mixture may also beoptionally contain up to about 0.5% to 50% by weight of another nonionicsurfactant in addition to the glycol specified herein. Suitable nonionicsurfactants include those selected from the group consisting of:

[0034] (a) the polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl and dialkylphenols, having a straight or branched alkyl group of from about 6 toabout 12 carbon atoms with ethylene oxide, wherein the amount ofethylene oxide present is from about 3 to about 25 moles per mole ofalkyl phenol;

[0035] (b) the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with ethyleneoxide of the formula RO (C₂H4O)_(n) H and/or propylene oxide of theformula RO(C₃H₆O)_(n)H: wherein in either or both cases R is a straightor branched alkyl group having from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is3 to 40;

[0036] (c) polyoxyethylene polyoxypropyl block polymers.

[0037] When employed in accordance with the present invention, thenonionic surfactant may be present in the treatment mixture in an amountup to about 50% by weight of the treatment mixture and, preferably, inan amount between 0.5 to 50% and most preferably about 5% and about 40%by weight of the total mixture.

[0038] The surfactant composition used in the dry matrix of the presentinvention may alternatively comprise a non-ionic and an anionicsurfactant.

[0039] It is also desired that the surfactant composition used in thedry matrix of the present invention has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balancebetween about 4 and 11.

[0040] As previously stated, the treatment mixture further contains alipid which can be one or more members of the group of emollients,lubricants, surface protectants, and medicaments for transfer to theskin surface.

[0041] Useful emollients include stearyl ethers and caproic esters.Emollients serve to soften skin. A particularly preferred emollient is acaprylic/caproic ester, most preferably the product sold by HULS Americaunder the trademark MYGLIOL 812⁴

[0042] The emollient should be included in the treatment mixture in anamount between about 5% and about 70% by weight of the treatmentmixture, and preferably, in an amount between about 20% and about 40%.

[0043] Useful lubricants include mineral oil⁵ petrolatum⁶ and wax⁷.Lubricants serve to protect skin and prevent moisture loss. They alsofunction as humectants. A particularly preferred lubricant is mineraloil and, most preferably, the mineral oil product sold by J. T. Bakerunder the trademark Mineral Oil USP. The lubricant may be included inthe treatment mixture in an amount between about 1% and about 50% byweight of the treatment mixture and, preferably, in an amount betweenabout 1% and about 15%.

[0044] Useful protectants include the polysiloxanes⁸, dimethicone⁹ andcyclomethicone¹⁰. A particularly preferred protectant is dimethylpolysiloxane, and most preferably, the silicone product sold by GeneralElectric, under the trademark Silicone Fluid SF96-350.

[0045] The protectant, when so included, should comprise between about5% and about 50% by weight of the treatment mixture and, preferably, bepresent in an amount between about 10% and about 25%. It will beappreciated, however, that the actual amount of protectant will varydepending upon the particular protectant and the application.

[0046] In a similar manner, medicaments such as, for example, zincoxide¹¹, aloe, titanium dioxide¹², sulfadiazine¹³, sulfaguanidine¹⁴,citronellol¹⁵ and the like can also be included for application to theskin surface. Other pharmacological agents that could be included wouldbe (a) vitamins A, C, D, E¹⁶ etc. (b) antimicrobials such as bacitracin,neomycin, miconazole, oxyquinoline, polymycin, and the like, (c)anti-inflammatory agents such as steroids, (d) antihistamine agents suchas benadryl, (e) anti-acne agents such as salicylic acid or retinoicacid¹⁷ etc.

[0047] It will of course be appreciated that the treatment mixture maycontain the lipid emollients, lubricants, protectants, and medicaments,either singularly or in combination, depending upon the particularapplication.

[0048] In order to prepare an impregnated matrix, a treatmentpreparation is made by strongly agitating the components. Thispreparation is added to the matrix.

[0049] The matrix may be prepared in the manner described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,091,102. Commercially manufactured matrices may also be used suchas, for example, DuPont's Sontara matrix which consists of a mixture ofcellulosic and synthetic fibers normally supplied in a basis weight of62 grams per square yard.

[0050] The matrix is then coated with the treatment mixture using aconventional transfer process such as, for example, the processdescribed U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,102. In such a process, continuous rollsof the matrix are passed between an engraved roller and a smooth rollerunder pressure. The engraved roller includes a plurality of cells andcavities that are defined by specific shape and dimensions. Duringoperation, the engraved roller is partially submerged in the treatmentmixture and rotates there through causing the mixture to fill thecavities of the engraved portions of the engraved roller. Excess mixturewhich may accumulate is removed by a doctor blade. The mixture remainingin the cells of the engraved roller is transferred by way of pressureabsorption and surface tension into the matrix as it passes underpressure between the engraved roller and smooth roller. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that the treatment mixture may also be applied tothe matrix by other treatment methods such as spraying, dipping,extrusion or reverse rolls.

[0051] The treated matrix containing the predetermined measured volumeof treatment mixture may be wound onto rolls and/or is converted intothe desired product.

[0052] The “water-free” treated matrix is dry to touch on fabrication,no separate drying step being required to dry the same.

[0053] The impregnated or treated matrix may then be used for directapplication of the emollient, lubricant, medicament and/or surfaceprotection to the skin. When such matrix is placed in contact with theskin, the lipid is transferred out of the matrix and onto the skin inthe form of a thin film. Furthermore, when the treated matrix is exposedto water it the point of use and sufficiently squeezed, or rubbed, theglycol, surfactants and emollient, protectant, medicament and/orlubricant substantially instantaneously form an emulsion with the water,which can transfer the lipid to the skin surface.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the treated or impregnated matrixcontaining non-aqueous components can be composed of one layer ormultiple layers.

[0055] When the matrix or wipe of the present invention is first treatedwith the mixture of partially water and oil soluble surfactants andemollients, antimicrobial agents, lubricants and/or medicaments, atleast one of which is a lipid, the lipid material is believed to beabsorbed on the lipophillic portion of the fibers composing the matrixand spreads to form a thin film. When the treated wipe is contacted withwater at the point of use, the aqueous phase is also absorbed by thehydrophilic portion of the fibers and spreads to form a thin film.However, the emulsion does not form (to any substantial degree) until(shear) energy (rubbing) is applied to mix the matrix surfaces. The twoimmiscible phases are both present absorbed on the surfaces of thefibers as high surface area films in close contact. Rubbing the matrixor treated wipe on skin, creates sufficient shear energy to overcome theviscous resistance of the liquids and disperses the oil phase in theaqueous phase creating an instant emulsion. The emulsion transports thelipid material to the skin surface. Once the shearing action stops, theemulsion breaks and the phases once again separate on the matrix fiber.The emulsion reforms when energy, i.e. rubbing, resumes. It should benoted that without the emulsion, the lipid remains on the matrix.

[0056] In an alternative application of the treated matrix of thepresent invention, the matrix is moistened and rubbed just before use toform an unstable emulsion that is effective to transfer a lipid to askin surface when the skin is wet.

[0057] An emulsion is a dispersion of a first liquid in a secondimmiscible liquid. Since most emulsions contain water as one of the twophases, emulsions are usually classified as either an oil-in-water (O/W)emulsion having droplets of oil dispersed in a continuous water phase,or a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion having droplets of water dispersed in acontinuous oil phase. The continuous liquid, or phase, is referred to asthe dispersion medium, and the discontinuous liquid, or phase, is thedisperse phase.

[0058] One cannot prepare a stable emulsion of two pure immiscibleliquids. Rather, an emulsion requires a third component: an emulsifyingagent or surfactant. Generally, adding a surfactant lowers theinterfacial tension of the two phases which allows an emulsion to formwhen the two immiscible liquids are mechanically agitated. Duringagitation, both liquids form droplets with one of the liquids becomingcontinuous and the other remaining in droplet form when an emulsifier (astabilizing compound) is included in the agitated mixture. However, ifthis mixture of droplets does not include the emulsifier, the dropletswill separate into two phases when the agitation ceases.

[0059] The type of emulsion, O/W or W/O, is determined in part by thevolume ratio of the two liquids, provided the ratio is sufficientlyhigh. For example with a 5% water and 95% oil volume present (an oil towater phase ratio of 19), the emulsion will be a W/O type. For moderateratios (between about 0.3 and 3), the type of emulsion is determined byseveral such as the order of addition and the type of emulsifier. Oneliquid slowly added to the other with agitation usually results in thelast added phase being the continuous one. However, the phase in whichthe emulsifier is most soluble is generally the continuous phase. Forexample, water soluble soaps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions whereaswater insoluble soaps stabilize water-in-oil emulsions.

[0060] Emulsification creates new surfaces between the two phases,namely the surfaces between the droplets. Such surface creatingprocesses require energy: the surface free energy. Numerically, thesurface free energy is identical to the surface tension. However, mostof the energy consumed during emulsification is used to overcome theviscous resistance of the liquids during agitation, and not to enlargethe interface. As a consequence, low viscosity liquids are easier toemulsify than high viscosity fluids. Based on this observation, it ispreferred that the viscosity at 25° C. of the lipid material used in thepresent invention is less than about 300 cps.

[0061] Through the use of agitation or shear forces, emulsificationusually breaks the original phases into progressively smaller droplets.Variations in the mode of agitation, the nature and amount ofemulsifying agent, pH and temperature changes also affectemulsification.

[0062] Commercial applications usually require emulsions to be stablefor months, if not longer. But, how stability is defined, and how it ismeasured, depends upon the specific application. Nonetheless, when anemulsion breaks down, the dispersed droplets coalescence, or flocculate.During flocculation, droplets combine into large droplets until finallythe droplets achieve an observable separate phase. A fully separatedemulsion consists of separate oil and water layers.

[0063] Both the charge at the interface and the packing of theemulsifier molecules effect the stability of an emulsion. Emulsions witha small average droplet size are more stable. For this reason,commercial emulsions are often prepared with homogenizers that rapidlyreduce droplet sizes.

[0064] While a low viscosity makes emulsification easier, a highviscosity retards flocculation, and thus improves the emulsion'sstability.

[0065] The treated matrix of this invention is impregnated with amixture of a liquid surfactant and a lipid, which preferredly is a skinprotectant, antimicrobial agent and/or emollient.

[0066] In an alternative embodiment, directly before use, at least aboutthree parts, by volume, of water is added to each part, by volume of thetreated matrix. The towel is then rubbed on skin. This rubbing providessufficient shear and agitation to uniformly disperse the lipid phase inthe water phase which facilitates the transfer of the active ingredientsto the skin surface. To achieve this instant emulsion under low shearconditions of the type encountered when the skin is rubbed with a wipe,sufficient surfactant that is partial solubility in both phases must bepresent to reduce the interfacial tension and facilitate thesubstantially instantaneous formation of the emulsion. In addition, theviscosity of the dispersed and continuous phase are desirably kept lowby using a lipid with a low viscosity. Such lipids readily emulsify uponapplication of “rubbing” shear. While this emulsion breaks when thematrix is quiescent (i.e., when the rubbing stops), it reforms withfurther rubbing.

[0067] To achieve the instant emulsion under low shear of thisinvention, the surfactants are desirably present in an amount of atleast about 15% by weight of the lipids, and preferredly between about15 and 50% by weight. These surfactants also should exhibit partialsolubility in both the continuous phase (here, water) and dispersedphase (here, lipid) so that the interfacial tension is quickly reduced.

[0068] Unlike pre-prepared stable emulsions encountered in commercialproducts heretofore, the stability of this in situ formed emulsion oncethe rubbing (aggitation) stops is not importent. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the uniformly dispersed emulsiononly exists while the matrix is being agitated. i.e., rubbed.Nonetheless, this short lived emulsion is effective to transfer thedisperse phase from the matrix to the rubbed skin surface.

[0069] Ordinarily, the low shear created by rubbing a treated wipe on askin surface insufficient to emulsify two immiscible liquids,particularly when the two insoluble liquids are in a test tube or mixingtank. The success of this invention is based on the substantiallyinstantaneous creation of the emulsion on the fibers of the treatedmatrix. There, the two liquid phases exist as thin films coating thematrix fiber surface, which results in a high surface area films. In thepresence of surfactants, these high surface area thin films mixintimately and emulsify under low shear.

[0070] The invention will be illustrated by the following examples whichare not to be construed in limitation thereof:

EXAMPLE I Emollient

[0071] A matrix, composed of air laid cellulose and acrylic bindersweighing approximately 60 grams per yard square was treated with a nonaqueous mixture of lipid emollients and surfactants as set forth below.

[0072] The matrix is suitable for use as a moistened baby wipe. Thetreatment mixture described below was added to the matrix by using agravure printing mechanism, the gravure pattern roll of which contains auniform geometric cellular structure and turns within a reservoir oftreatment mixture. Any excess mixture being removed by intimate contactwith a doctor blade, transferring the treatment mixture from itscellular structure to said matrix as the matrix passes over the gravureroll while under pressure exerted upon the matrix by a smooth rollparallel to, and above, the gravure roll.

[0073] The treatment mixture was added to the matrix in an amount of 10%of the weight of the matrix. Rolls of water-free treated matrix, whichare dry to the touch, were converted into 7″×8″ “Z” folded, tabconnected towels.

[0074] Stacks of these treated towels containing 80 folded tab-connectedsheets, were placed in a dispensing container. Individual towels madefrom the water-free treated matrix were applied directly to the skin.This application left a thin film of the treatment mixture on the skinwhich softened the skin appreciably. These same towels, when contactedwith wet skin, created an unstable emulsion, which allowed for bothcleansing and softening of the skin.

[0075] In one trial, an amount of water equal to three times the weightof the towel stack was added at one time and the wetted towels dispensedthrough an opening provided in the container. The towels functioned aswell as a standard Scott brand Baby Fresh Moist Towel as a cleaner. Theunique difference however, is that in addition to cleaning skin, thetowel of the present invention transferred the emollients to the skin.Panels of adults who used the towels of the present invention coulddiscern the added emollience. CHEMICAL COMPONENT TRADE NAME AMOUNTCaprylic/ Miglyol 812 30.00 Caproic Ester Poly Oxypropylene 15 StearylEther Arlamot-E 41.00 Polysorbate 85 Tween 18.10 Propylene Glycol USP4.80 Benzalkonium Chloride BTC-6 4.80 Dowcil 200 0.30 Fragrance 1.00100.00

EXAMPLE II Lubricant

[0076] Example I shows that a lipid emollient can be placed uniformly onthe skin by contact using a water free towel or a moistened towel withpressure to create an unstable emulsion. This example shows that a lipidlubricant can be applied in a similar manner.

[0077] A polyethylene and/or polypropylene fiber matrix having a basisweight of approximately 20 grams per square yard was treated with thefollowing formula at the rate of 100% of basis weight yielding an add onof mineral oil (a lubricant) at 9-10%. At this level of treatment, thematrix was noticeably “soft”.

[0078] The water-free treatment mixture was applied to the matrix in thesame manner as described in Example I.

[0079] Individual towels made from the water-free treated matrix wereapplied to skin by contact. This contact transferred a thin film of themixture to the skin. The skin felt noticeably lubricious. These sametowels, when contacted with wet skin, created an unstable emulsion thatalso transferred the lubricant to the skin. CHEMICAL COMPONENT TRADENAME AMOUNT Propylene Glycol USP 39.50 Polyethylene Glycol PEG 600 13.15Plurafac-Alcohol Alkoxylate D-25 7.71 Plurafac-Alcohol Alkoxylate B-25-57.71 Alcohol Ethoxylate Genopal 261.60 12.60 Mineral Oil 9.13Benzalkonium Chloride BTC-6 10.00 Fragrance 0.20 100.00

EXAMPLE III Medicament

[0080] A matrix consisting of 100% synthetic fiber thermally bonded toitself and weighing approximately 20-28 grams per square yard wastreated with the water-free formulation listed below. A matrix treatedwith only 1 time its weight of formulation was also evaluated by placingthe water-free treated matrix in water and transferring the medicamentfrom the matrix into the water.

[0081] The treatment preparation was applied as described in Example Iand weighed up to four times the basis weight of the matrix.

[0082] An individual towel made using the water-free matrix was appliedto the skin by contact which transferred a thin film of the mixture tothe skin. Those same towels, when applied to wet skin with pressure,created an unstable emulsion which aided the transfer of the medicamentto the skin under those conditions. CHEMICAL COMPONENT TRADE NAME AMOUNTPropylene Glycol USP 50.00 Miconazolc Nitrate 45.00 BenzalkoniumChloride BTC 65 5.00 100.00

EXAMPLE IV

[0083] By using an oil based insect repellent such as citronellol in thetreatment mixture, a water-free treated matrix can be prepared whichtransfers the insect repellent to the skin on contact. In the presenceof perspiration or water accompanied by pressure, the towels of thisexample form am unstable emulsion that evenly transfers the insectrepellent to the skin.

EXAMPLE V

[0084] An air laid cellulose pulp and acrylic binders matrix weighing 60grams per square yard was treated with a substantially water-freemixture of surfactants, emollients, skin protectants, preservative,fragrance and propylene glycol as listed below: Chemical Function wt. %Coconut oil Emollient 43.32 Polysorbate Surfactant 10.33 Polyoxyproplylene Surfactant 10.33 stearyl ether Propylene glycol Emollient7.22 Dimethicone Skin Protectant 27.00 Isothiazoline Preservative 0.80Floragreen Fragrance 1.00 100.00

[0085] The substantially water-free mixture was applied to the matrixwith a gravure pattern roll so that the add on to the air laid pulpmatrix was 18%. The water-free treated matrix was dry to the touch anddid not feel greasy. The water-free treated matrix was analyzed forweight percent Dimethicone and found to contain 4.1% which correspondswith the theoretical amount predicted on the matrix. The water-freetreated matrix was carefully placed in water so that it absorbed threetimes its dry weight in water. When carefully squeezed only water wasexpressed from the wetted wipe demonstrating that no emulsion hadformed.

[0086] Another similarly treated wipe was rubbed together for 10 secondsand then squeezed. An unstable emulsion was expressed from the wipewhich separated into phase layers within a few seconds. The expressedliquid was analyzed for Dimethicone and 1.2% was found. This experimentdemonstrated that the Dimethicone oil was temporarily emulsified intothe aqueous phase and was transferable from the matrix via thedispersion medium.

EXAMPLE VI

[0087] A sonically bonded matrix of 2.2 oz/sq. yd consisting of a topand bottom layer of 0.50 oz/sq. yd spun bonded polypropylene and threeinner layers of tissue was treated with the following non-aqueousformulation. Compound Function Wt. % (paper/cellulose) Propylene glycolEmollient 25.0 Polyethylene glycol 600 Emollient 10.0 Mineral oilLubricant 25.0 Ethoxylated fatty alcohol Surfactant 30.0 Quaternaryfatty amine Preservative 10.0 100.0

[0088] The substantially water-free mixture was applied to the matrixwith a gravure pattern roll so that the add on to the sonically bondedmatrix was 22%. The water-free treated matrix felt dry to the touch andwhen rubbed on skin, no oil feel could be detected, but the skin surfacerepelled water. A 10 inch square of water-free treated matrix was wettedwith four times its weight in water. When gently squeezed, only waterwas expressed from the wipe.

[0089] Another treated wipe was wetted with substantially the sameweight of water and rubbed for several seconds on the surface of aforearm. An oily residue was left on the forearm demonstrating thatunder the influence of pressure from rubbing the treated wipe on skin inthe presence of water, an unstable emulsion formed.

Therefore, I claim:
 1. A dry matrix comprising a. a plurality of fibers;and b. a film on at least part of said fibers, said film comprising: i.at least one member selected from the group consisting of lipidemollients, lubricants and protectants; and ii. a surfactant.
 2. The drymatrix of claim 1, wherein said surfactant comprises a glycol.
 3. Thedry matrix of claim 1, wherein said surfactant is a member of the groupconsisting of cationic and anionic surfactants.
 4. The dry matrix ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of fibers have regions with ahydrophobic character and regions with a hydrophilic character.
 5. Thedry matrix of claim 1, wherein said surfactant comprises between about15%-50%, by weight, of said film.
 6. The dry matrix of claim 1, whereinsaid film composition has a viscosity, at 25° C. of less than about 300cps.
 7. The dry matrix of claim 1, wherein said surfactant has ahydrophilic-lipophilic balance between about 4 and
 11. 8. The dry matrixof claim 1, wherein the only water present is said dry matrix is boundto said plurality of fibers.
 9. The dry matrix of claim 1 comprisessubstantially no added water.
 10. The dry matrix of claim 2 wherein saidglycol is present in an amount between about 1% and about 99% by weightof said film composition.
 11. The dry matrix of claim 2 wherein saidglycol is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol,polyethylene glycol and methoxy polyethylene glycol.
 12. The dry matrixof claim 2 wherein said glycol is present in an amount between about 4%and about 50% by weight of said film composition.
 13. The dry matrix ofclaim 1, wherein said emollient is selected from the group consisting ofstearyl ether, caproic esters and lanolin.
 14. The dry matrix of claim13, wherein said emollient is present in said film composition in anamount of up to about 50% by weight of said film composition.
 15. Thedry matrix of claim 1, wherein said lubricant is a member selected fromthe group consisting of mineral oil, petrolatum and wax.
 16. The drymatrix of claim 15, wherein said lubricant is present in said filmcomposition in an amount up to about 50% by weight of said filmcomposition.
 17. The dry matrix of claim 1, wherein said protectant isselected from the group consisting of dimethyl polysiloxane,cyclomethicone and lanolin.
 18. The dry matrix of claim 17, wherein saidprotectant is present in the non-aqueous mixture in an amount up toabout 50% by weight of the non-aqueous mixture.
 19. The dry matrix ofclaim 1, wherein said medicament is a member selected from the groupconsisting of zinc oxide, aloe, titanium dioxide, miconazole,bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin, vitamins A, D, and E, salicylic acid,retinoic acid, resorcinol, benadryl, sulfadiazine, sulfaguanidine,citronellol and hydrocortisone, and is present in an amount up to about50% by weight.
 20. A method of treating a skin surface comprising thesteps of: a. obtaining a dry matrix comprising i. a plurality of fibers;and ii. a film on at least part of said fibers, said film comprising: a)at least one member selected from the group consisting of lipidemollients, lubricants and protectants; and b) a surfactant; and b.rubbing said skin surface.